Putting things between two pieces of bread has been around since there was bread. But, these days sandwiches can be anything you want them to be. Photo: Jill Catley/Flickr

Sandwiches have been a staple of your diet since you were a kid and your mom was still cutting off the crust. But, these days there’s more options than ham and cheese or peanut butter and jelly. And, in the Bay Area those options pretty much cover anything you can put in between bread. Most of what you can put in a roll, it turns out, are high-quality delicious ingredients. So, stop packing a sad lunch and pick up a sandwich. The only problem is that even if you eat sandwiches everyday during your lunch hour, you’ll never taste all that the Bay has to offer.

Here are some of our favorite sandwiches in the Bay Area. Share your favorites in the comments and we’ll add them to the list. Just remember: these aren’t your mother’s sandwiches.

Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
(510) 985-1213
Tues-Sat, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.Why? Bakesale Betty may have slightly changed their signature recipe earlier this year, but the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich is still a Bay Area classic, with lines around the block of its Oakland location to buy one of the $9 sandwiches. The place makes about 600 sandwiches each day — more on Fridays and Saturdays. Australian chef Alison Barakat mans the kitchen in her blue wig, where the fried chicken sandwich may be the crown jewel but the cookies aren’t bad either.

Photo: Courtesy of Genova’s Deli

Genova’s Delicatessen and Ravioli
5095 Telegraph Ave. #A, Oakland (additional locations in Walnut Creek)
(510) 652-7401
Mon-Sat, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sun, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.Why? While this place is a full deli and sort of a market, the Italian-style sandwiches are truly the highlight. Try the Italian combo with Dutch crunch roll or the roast beef sourdough with prosciutto. Get a ticket number as soon as you walk in, because it may be a wait. And, if you go during the busy lunch hour they may be out of Dutch crunch roll, so it’s worth going early.

Roli RotiFerry Building Farmers’ Market – Saturday and Thursday and SOMA StrEat Food Park – Friday (additional farmers’ market locations)
(510) 780-0300
Thurs, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Fri, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Sat, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.Why? Roli Roti may be known for its rotisserie chicken food trucks. But, the porchetta sandwich has become a Bay Area favorite since being served in 2006. While the Roli Roti truck travels to farmers’ market, the porchetta is only offered at certain locations — primarily on Thursday and Saturdays at the Ferry Building and Fridays at the SOMA StrEat Food Park. The pork is juicy from cooking on a spit and served with onion and fennel.

Little Lucca
724 El Camino Real, South San Francisco
(650) 589-8916
Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sat, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Burlingame Shopping Plaza, Burlingame
(650) 697-8389
Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sat, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.Why? The sandwiches are huge and the choices are nearly unlimited, but the real reason the line is out the door is for the special sauces. Get anything that comes with the original garlic sauce. It changes a good sandwich into a great sandwich. You can also call ahead and pick-up if you don’t want to wait in line.

Photo: Courtesy of Southie

Southie (from Wood Tavern)
6311 College Ave., Oakland
(510) 654-0100
Mon-Sat, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sun, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.Why? Opened in 2011 as a casual sister restaurant right next to Wood Tavern, Southie offers a changing menu of sandwiches that locals and out-of-towners love. The giant meatball sandwich gets a lot of attention, but the Dungeness crab sandwich is worth trying during crab season and the pork belly sandwich is covered with carrot, kohlrabi slaw, and crispy jalapeños. Why not follow it up with a different kind of sandwich: an ice cream sandwich — homemade cherry vanilla ice cream in between two gluten-free brownies.

Photo: Courtesy of Rhea’s Deli

Rhea’s Deli
800 Valencia St., San Francisco
(415) 282-5255
Mon-Thurs, 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Fri-Sun, 1:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.Why? For the Korean steak sandwich. The deli may be in a small shop, but the meat on the Korean steak sandiwch is juicy and tender and comes with a variety of flavors: spicy chili-garlic sauce, garlic aioli, lettuce, cheese, jalapenos, and multiple kinds of onions. Be careful about the spicy sauce, unless you really like things spicy.

Photo: Courtesy of Wise Sons Deli

Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
3150 24th St., San Francisco
(415) 787-3354
Wed-Fri, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Sat, Sun, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ferry Building Farmers’ Market
Tues, Thurs, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
736 Mission St., San Francisco (inside the Contemporary Jewish Museum)
(415) 655-7887
Everyday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.Why? This New York-style deli is considered one of the best in the city. It was named by Bon Appetit one of the four best Jewish delis in the country. Try the pastrami. The Semite sandwich, which won over the Bon Appetit critics, is pastrami, Swiss cheese, and fried egg on rye. The sandwiches aren’t huge and the menu isn’t limitless, but your stomach won’t mind.

The Sentinel
37 New Montgomery St., San Francisco
284-9960
Mon-Fri, breakfast 7:30 – 10:30 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.Why? The menu changes, but the classic corned beef sandwich is one of the best in the Bay Area and typically on the menu. The meat comes on fresh-baked foccacia with Russian dressing and shredded cabbage. Bonus: you also get a housemade pickle and an Andes mint for after.

Saigon Sandwich
560 Larkin St., San Francisco
(415) 474-5698
Everyday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.Why? Tucked into the Tenderloin, Saigon Sandwich specializes in banh mi — the traditional French-Vietnamese sandwich with grilled meat and crunchy, pickled veggies on a baguette. The New York Times recommends Saigon Sandwich’s combo as some of the best banh mi in the country, though locals also love the meatball pork sandwich. And, anyone can love the price: less than $4.

Ike’s Place
3489 16th St. San Francisco (multiple other locations)
(415) 553‑6888
Everyday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.Why? Ike’s has become a Bay Area staple, with a dozen locations. And, it got that way by delivering a massive selection of delicious sandwiches, including gluten-free options. But, the favorite is Kryptonite (only you’re no Superman) — a massive stuffed sandwich with six kinds of meat, avocado, beer-battered onion rings, extra pepper Jack cheese, mozzarella sticks, pesto, and jalapeno poppers. If you’re looking to put yourself in a sandwich coma, or just order a normal-sized lunch, call ahead.

The Bay’s Best Sandwiches, According To KQED’s Social Media Fans:

“The pollo sandwich at Sol Food with the hot sauce & a side of maduros. Worth crossing the Golden Gate.”Ava Zavora, Twitter

“The banh mi at Castro Tarts is the best ever.”Robert la Bohème, Facebook

“As a vegan, the best sandwich I’ve ever had would be the tempeh/quinoa sliders at Portal in Oakland. I’m actually kind of angry I’m not eating one right now.”Logan Bartling, Facebook

Genova’s: outstanding! Went to the Oakland location for many years and now the Napa location. Fave is roast beef on Dutch crunch with a side of 3 bean salad.Geoffrey Hargrove, Facebook

How is almost ANY sandwich from Memphis Minnie’s [San Francisco] not on this list? The pulled pork? Their in housemade pastrami, available only on Wednesdays. The smoked, then fried chicken sandwich? Tri tip?Laurie Cahn, Facebook

California Sourdough in Northeast San Jose is my favorite place, but their sister location, Freshly Baked in downtown is just as good. Their house-seasoned spicy turkey on their steaming fresh sourdough rolls (also made in-house) is to die for.Carlos Orellana, BAB comments

Duc Loi Market in the Mission didn’t make the list but it’s one of my favorites.

Julie Asregadoo

Davy Jones Deli in Sausalito! Really good.

weegee

what is your favorite sandwich at Davy Jones Deli?

JP

Last I checked, the bay area encompassed more than just SF and Oakland. For those brave enough to travel outside the hipster bubble, The Refuge in San Carlos + Menlo Park has amazing house-cured pastrami sandwiches. It also offers a fabulous selection of (mostly) belgian beer, and plenty of sunshine and parking.

Bread_Sticks

THANK YOU! Reading this article, one would get the impression that the only culture available is Sf and Oakland (the aforementioned hipster bubble).

What I see is a writer scared to explore outside their comfort zone or even worse, scared to admit that there might be some great spots outside their hood.

Jesse Murray

Della Fattoria in Petaluma.

weegee

What is your favorite sandwich at Della Fattoria?

Jesse Murray

BLT when in season.

Derek Stanfill

Only been to one spot on this list….. This is a real weak showing of what hipsters call Sandwiches. Venture outside of your little Hipster bubble. Sandwiches are made for the common man and worker. Neither are found where you are hanging out.

How Woodside deli isn’t mentioned baffles me.

weegee

What is your favorite sandwich at Woodside deli?

saimin

Love the banh mi

Lindsay Taylor

The Chris sandwich at La Villa’s deli in San Jose ( willow glen) is not to be missed. They dont tell you exactly whats in it. But man is it worth trying!

Willa K. Liang

Saigon Sandwich over Cam Huong? Really…?

why_not_now

The corned beef sandwich at the Sentinel is always inconsistent.

Sometimes the bread is soggy, the slaw has too much vinegar, can’t count on it.

Then factor in the price, stay away.

denise

Dinosaurs in the Castro makes better sandwiches than Saigon Sandwich. Truth be told, I switched forever more since Saigon S used to be my love but now I am having an affair with Dinosaurs.

Foodie

Banh mi tastes a bit better WITHOUT a cockroach in it. Although I agree that it’s really cheap and really good, it’s also a disastrous health hazard and should be checked out by the health dept. I found bugs not just once but twice when I ate at Saigon. Too bad, since it’s some of the best banh mi in town.

Eric K

The problem with these “guides” is that they all have the tendency to be metro-centric

makoandthebandit

Lackluster list with privileged hipster transplant obvious choices as “best”. Title is misleading, should be “best of SF and Oakland obvious”. This doesn’t represent the bay area at all. It’s a Google search of best yelp reviews put into a list.

linus

Well then add to it…

Jen Anderson

In my opinion, Freshly Baked Eatery in downtown San Jose makes the best sandwich in the Bay Area. The french rolls are, well, freshly baked and usually still warm when served and the service is so fast, it’s mind-blowing. You walk up to the counter, place your order, take three steps to the register and bam, sandwich is ready.

David

Is a Mexican sandwich not a sandwich? Somebody needs to introduce you to a TORTA.

I agree with Genova, Ike’s, Bakesale Betty and Saigon.
But you forgot Molinari’s, Gambino’s, Bite Me and Yellow Submarine in SF.

C-Los

Nothing in San Jose was worthy of the list? No California Sourdough/Freshly Baked? No Paradiso’s? If that’s too out of the box, how about showing The Sandwich Spot some love? They have locations north of Burlingame so they should be on your radar. C’mon KQED. You’re better than this.

weegee

Share your favorite South Bay spot with your favorite sandwich and we will add it to the list.

C-Los

Thank you. California Sourdough in Northeast San Jose is my favorite place, but their sister location, Freshly Baked in downtown is just as good. Their house-seasoned spicy turkey on their steaming fresh sourdough rolls (also made in-house) is to die for. The meatball sub at Paradiso’s deserves an honorable mention, as do any of the cheesesteak’s at Amatos.

Ashby_Sassafras_III

The Bay Area????

noellemac

The Lobster Rolls at Old Port Lobster Shack in Redwood City are phenomenal.

lili

Subculture Deli in South San Francisco is my fave over Little Lucca now. Lucca’s sandwiches are too huge for any human to eat and the bread is often dry. A good sandwich should be about quality over quantity. Subculture uses fresh rolls from the bakery next door and high quality ingredients.

Nuggulux

This is a list of “the best place to get sandwiches” and not “best sandwiches.” Everyone is going to criticize the provincial nature of the list, but the fact is, I want names of sandwiches I need to order, and why, then I want to know where to get them. The headline is selling the sandwich, not the sandwich store. Also, the best sandwiches aren’t along a couple of streets in the Mission or Temescal.

JMath

Stag’s Lunchette in Oakland need be on this list.

weegee

What is your favorite sandwich at Stag’s?

Home Depot3

I only had it once but the Cuban style pork & ham pressed sandwich at ‘wichcraft is fantastic. Crunchy and tender at the same time with great flavors: pickles, aji verde & melted gruyère on ciabatta roll. Just excellent. Must go back.

MrMikey

Love a good sandwich but there is more to the bay area than San Francisco and Oakland. Based on the name of the article, I give it an incomplete.

Butch

Darby Dan’s in South SF would be on my list. Jalapeno Relish and garlic mayo take it over the top, especially on their Dutch Crunch rolls..

Francesca Verdier

The Local Butcher Shop, 1600 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709, should be added to this list.

Moses Graubard

I gotta agree with Bakesale Betty and Genova, but also gotta second the plugs for Summer Kitchen (best bacon sandwich ever?), Stag’s Lunchette, Cam Huong, and Saul’s (all East Bay). Finally, how could you leave off Lou’s Cafe in the Inner Richmond?

kellydomara

Hi all,

This was just supposed to be a jumping off point for people to share their favorite sandwiches. It certainly wasn’t meant to be the final word on the subject. We just wanted to include some popular spots to get the discussion going, which clearly it has. Thanks for sharing your favorite spots!